Lock and key ejector



July 15, 1952 J. MULL'AN 2,603,082

LOCK AND KEY EJECTOR Filed Sept. 7, 1949 INVLN TOR. JOSEPH MULLA/V.

My. M.

ATTORNEY.

Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES -z-soaosz in v .LOCK AND KEY EJECTOR g Joseph Mullan, Baltimore, Md. f K g -'Application-September 7, 1949, Serial him-1114305 This invention relates to-loeks and more particularlyto those used for'the control of ignition and like purposes on a motor-vehicle.

It has among itsobjectsto provide .a new and improved lock device that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the :prior art.

'Another'objectof theinvention is to provide a *new "and improved-lock device that will .fac'ilitate the removal of the key when the latter. is in unlocking position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an unusual form of key entrance to a lock that will protect it, indicate its unlocking position, and give it features not available in the ordinary use of the conventional lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock that will eject the key therefrom when in unlocked position.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully described.

In the conventional lock, the key is normally insertable directly into the key hole. In this invention the lock portion about the key hole is surmounted by a resilient sleeve that projects beyond the lock and covers the key hole, and indicates that the key is not in position. The sleeve receives the key first through a dummy key hole when used for operating purposes, and

is pushed towards the look so the key will be directed into the proper key hole with ease, ready to operate the lock. After unlocking, when the key is brought back to its original insertion position, the sleeve will, under the action of a spring, eject the key from the look into the hand of the user. The furniture or structure about the lock is to be adapted to receive this sleeve and allow it to actuate and reciprocate as described.

For a better understanding of the invention, its objects and the principles thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein a particular form of the invention is illustrated by way of example. The following description explains the details, while the claim indicates the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lock and key ejector with the key removed;

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of Figure 1 with the key ejected from the look through the outward movement sleeve; and

Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 except the key is held by the lock and the sleeve is depressed.

Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the drawings.

In the construction shown, a lock unit consists of a hollow cylindrical sleeve 10, open at its inner end H, and closed at its outer end with a disc-like cap l2. The cap l2 has a dummy 1 Claim. (crane-ass) key hole is arranged in it for the'i-key iz fl as lock 2|. The lock 2! is of conventionalrkey operable cylinder type for an ignitioniswitch 32 and wiring 33 of an automobile, andiis installedinthe dash board 22. The lock f2l isof barrelform held imposition on the dashboard ZZxbyLbolts 23 screwed intobracketsizd;fastened thereto. The "slots125 are arranged longitudi nally in the :wallzorthe lockvZ'l .to receive the prongsv l5. ofithe sleeve til andguideitssliding operation and prevent therre'moval ofrthasleeve if! from the lock 2|. Inside the sleeve and located between the head or cap l2 of the sleeve and the face 26 of the lock is a coil spring M. This spring tends to keep the sleeve projected outwardly from the face of the lock. Pressure against the head of the sleeve by the pushing in of the key 29 compresses the spring and allows the key to push the sleeve over the barrel of the lock 2| until the key enters the key slot 2'! of the lock 2|. inward movement by the closing travel of the coil against the face of the lock. Its outward movement is limited by the bent lugs I5 on the open end edge, as they catch in the grooves or slots 25 on the sides of the lock, or by the lugs I6, also formed on the same edge, and adapted to hit against the inner face of the dash board 22. Either arrangement may be used according to whichever is more desirable at installation.

The method of attaching the lock to the dashboard seems to be obvious, since the bolts 23 hold it in place rigidly. The hole I! in the dashboard is made large enough for the sleeve to reciprocate therein without too much play. The sleeve is made relatively thin and light as long as it is strong enough for its functions and wear. The head [2 is preferably enlarged and knurled to make it more artistic in appearance and form a stop to its inward movement. The

slots 25 act as guides for the sleeve and keep it from turning on its axis.

The device may be supplied with the look as a part thereof or it may be provided as a separate unit to be mounted on a lock already intended for the dashboard. In the latter instance it consists mainly of the sleeve, the lugs of which are bent into place after insertion through the dashboard, so the sleeve will be kept in place. The spring of course is placed in position before the lugs are bent.

The device while simple is a very effective convenience. It is inexpensive. It prevents the key from staying in the lock when the lock is in unlocked position. This is important as it pro- The sleeve is limited in its The key however will stay in pushed-in-position in the lock, when it is turned on, and stay there until reversed into unlocked position. The sleeve, by its appearance on the dash board always gives a visual indication of the lock position, whether locked or unlocked. It being so conspicuous especially when unlocked osition that it advises the user or observer effectively and quickly.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim.

Hav ng thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

In combination with a lock of the key operable cylinder type, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lock, said sleeve having a closed end which projects outwardly from the lock, resilient 'means in said sleeve between its closed end and the lock for biasing the sleeve to an outward position but allowing reciprocation of the sleeve on the lock,

the closed end of the sleeve having a key hole aligned with the keyhole of the lock, whereby the key may be inserted in the first keyhole and be guided to the second one foroperaring the look when the sleeve is pushed against the pressure of the resilient means, and the key may be automatically released when in inoperative posi- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in-the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,552,409 Anderson Sept. 8, 1925 1,657,517 Reason Jan. 31, 1928 1,714,426 Kuepfer May 21, 1929 1,997,528 Lovatt Apr. 9, 1935 2,058,895 Lowe Oct. 27, 1936 

